Keiynan Lonsdale Is Wally West In “Flash”

Looks like The CW’s “The Flash” is replacing one departed Australian actor (Rick Cosnett) with another as Keiynan Lonsdale (“Insurgent: The Divergent Series,” “Dance Academy”) has been cast in the series regular role of Wally West.

In the DC Comics universe, West made his debut as Kid Flash before taking on the mantle of The Flash in the mid-1980s and was more recently retired from The New 52 continuity. His version of The Flash is the one seen in the animated “Justice League” series.

In the comics he is also the nephew of Iris West, however it’s expected his origin story will be tweaked for the show and there’s no confirmation as yet if he has any connection to the West family.

In a statement, executive producer Andrew Kreisberg says: “Just like when we met Grant for the first time, we instantly knew Keiynan embodied all the heart and courage of a hero. We are so excited to be bringing this much-beloved character onto the show.”

He marks the third incarnation of The Flash that will be seen next season, the second being Jay Garrick (Teddy Sears). Other recent additions to “The Flash” and its related shows include Shantel VanSanten as Joe West’s new partner Patty Spivot, Casper Crump as immortal villain Vandal Savage, and Falk Hentschel as Carter Hall/Hawkman.